Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 7:28 AM AWST

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Employ thermal cutting and welding tools (non-load bearing) in an underwater environment

Employ thermal cutting and welding tools (non-load bearing) in an underwater environment

Unit of competency
National Code
DEFDV017B
State Code
AVV18
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
24/01/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
030711 - Boilermaking And Welding
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to employ thermal cutting and welding tools in an underwater environment. This includes the operation (from the surface) of the generator.The unit also includes selecting the appropriate tools for the work task and inspecting them for serviceability. The diver must ensure the tools are secured on own body throughout the dive, and correctly operate the tools with particular attention to safety.Competence will need to be demonstrated in the surface operation of the electrical generator or gas cylinders supplying the tools.The diver will be responsible for the recovery of any waste arising from the work task to ensure the preservation of the environment. Finally, the tools, generator and gas cylinders must be de-serviced and stored appropriately for ongoing use.Note: This Unit of Competency relates, in part, to the existing standards of the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS). All information was correct at the time of development of this Unit of Competency; however, any diver seeking ADAS accreditation should consult ADAS and not rely on the information contained in this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for cutting and welding underwater
  • 1.1 Work task, worksite data and work object (including composition and condition) are determined and analysed to determine the specific requirements for thermal cutting and welding tools.
  • 1.2 Work plan is developed consistent with the dive plan.
  • 1.3 Thermal cutting and welding tools, and protective equipment appropriate to the task are selected, inspected and prepared.
  • 1.4 Electrical generator and associated leads are selected, inspected and prepared.
  • 1.5 Oxy-acetylene gas cylinders and associated hoses are selected, inspected and prepared.
  • 1.6 Thermal cutting and welding tools, the generator, oxy-acetylene gas cylinders, and associated leads and hoses are secured safely to/from the dive site.
  • 1.7 Access obstructions and other hazards are assessed and action is taken to remove/reduce risk.
2. Operate thermal cutting and welding tools underwater
  • 2.1 Thermal cutting and welding tools are secured on self during the dive for ease of accessibility and lack of interference with mobility and dive equipment.
  • 2.2 Safe routes for leads and hoses to the worksite are established.
  • 2.3 Work-safe area is established and location and safety of divers is confirmed prior to commencing work tasks.
  • 2.4 Surface of the work object is prepared for the cut or weld.
  • 2.5 Voltage and amperage of arc-welding equipment is controlled.
  • 2.6 Gas supplies are turned on and ratios of oxygen and acetylene are set and adjusted.
  • 2.7 Pressure of oxy-acetylene torch is controlled.
  • 2.8 Cuts and welds are made ensuring minimal distortion to the object.
  • 2.9 Employment hazards of cutting and welding tools are managed.
  • 2.10Thermal cutting and welding tools are temporarily disconnected and rendered safe to evaluate the work task.
  • 2.11Cuts and welds are inspected and cleaned.
3. Operate the generator
  • 3.1 Pre-start checks are performed and leads are connected.
  • 3.2 Power is developed gradually without surging and generator is stabilised and trimmed to required work output.
  • 3.3 Routine operational checks are conducted and warning signs are diagnosed and addressed.
  • 3.4 Generator is shut down.
  • 3.5 Emergency shut-down drills are conducted..
4. Conclude underwater cutting and welding operations
  • 4.1 Environmental impact arising from use of thermal cutting and welding tools is minimised and waste products are recovered.
  • 4.2 Thermal cutting and welding tools, the generator, gas cylinders and associated leads and hoses, and protective equipment are de-serviced after use.
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Work tasks may include:
cutting
gouging
heating
welding
Worksite data may include:
current
depth
gradient
hazards
obstacles
Work object may include:
anchorage
pipe
sheet (hull)
support/strut
Composition may include:
aluminium
high and low alloy steels
high and low carbon steels
mild steel
stainless steel
Thermal cutting and welding tools may include:
oxy-torch
arc-welder
Protective equipment may include:
boots
eye protection
gloves
hood/helmet
Selecting, inspecting and preparing thermal cutting and welding tools may include:
inspection of stick
neck/mouth of oxy-torch
regulation of amperage and voltage
security of earth (bull-dog) lead
Selecting, inspecting and preparing the generator may include:
checking fluids
fuelling
pre-start checks
Selecting, inspecting and preparing the oxy-acetylene gas cylinders may include:
checking gas lines
checking gas pressures and mixing ratios
physical security of bottles
Hazards may include:
danger zone of objects being worked on
impact on dive equipment (e.g. hoses, gauges, communications)
release of fuels and associated chemical contaminants resident at the worksite
retinal damage
shock and burn
trapped air explosions
Action to remove/reduce the risk may include:
erecting signage
using patrol/sentry craft
Routine operational checks may include:
fuel
fluids
pressure
temperature
Warning signs may include:
feed variations
rise/fall in temperature
smoke
surging (rise/fall in power)
unusual noise
unusual smell (e.g. oil)
Environmental impact includes:
contamination of surrounding water (e.g. leaking oil)
physical damage to reef and associated floor eco-systems (e.g. coral)
visual pollution of waste material (e.g. concrete and metal parts)
De-servicing may include:
drying
logging work details into equipment logs
oiling/greasing
refilling
re-fuelling
washing in fresh water
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
cut a12 mm steel plate using a thermal arc or oxy arc cutting torch
weld together two pieces of approximately 12 mm steel plate underwater using electric welding equipment to produce a fillet weld
attend to personal and collective safety
consider the environmental impact as part of the dive plan.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated during a number of work tasks where:
the depth is between 5 metres and 20 metres
at least one night work task is undertaken.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the ocean.
When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.
Specific resources for assessment
Access to a dive location, and thermal cutting and welding equipment.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BBC53 DEFWDV017 Employ thermal cutting and welding tools (non-load bearing) in an underwater environment Unit of competency
No information